Our Leadership Team
Dennis Byrd
President and CEO, Head Busboy/Dishwasher
Hailing from Galveston, Texas, Dennis’ hospitality career began at The Spot along the Seawall. Working his way up from dishwasher to delivery boy, cashier to cook, he learned the ropes of the restaurant business before purchasing the business in 2002. Under his leadership, The Spot continued to expand and Island Famous, Inc. was born. Today, Dennis is a passionate business leader with a laser focus on his mission of taking care of his team, his guests and his community.
Lauren Desormeaux
Vice President of People and Culture
With over a decade of hospitality experience, Lauren brings a distinct vision, passion and track record of success to her work with Island Famous, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, is a Certified Tourism Ambassador for Galveston Island and is currently pursuing the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification for human resource professionals. Lauren currently serves on the Culinary Arts Advisory Committee at Galveston Community College, performs duties as the Secretary for the Galveston Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association and is actively involved with volunteer opportunities throughout the local community.
Marc Cantu
Vice President of Operations and Development
With a 30-year hospitality career that spans coast-to-coast, Marc brings extensive leadership, business planning and operations experience to the Island Famous, Inc. table. Working closely with our leadership team, Marc is committed to driving growth across all concepts.
Joe Gerardi
Culinary Director
Joe brings 30+ years of culinary experience to his role with Island Famous, Inc. From dishwasher to director — and everything in between — Joe’s innate passion for hospitality has fueled his career since he first stepped into a professional kitchen. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and has served in several leadership roles throughout his career, including as a corporate concept chef and regional culinary director. Creating a sense of family and connection has always been important to him, and he takes pride in contributing to our mission of taking care of the team, guests and community.
Carrie davis
Controller
With an extensive career in the hospitality industry, Carrie’s passion for organization, numbers and company culture has been shaped by 30+ years of experience in restaurant accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Houston Clear Lake. As someone always looking for ways to give back, Carrie is actively involved in the Galveston community and volunteers with Camo Rescue dog foster and Galveston Island Humane Society. She also serves as a Rosenberg Library “Galveston Reads” committee member.